Beachcomber

We’re once again running the Looking Back column, typos and curiosities included. Last week we printed something from 60 years ago. Mr. and Mrs. DiResto were celebrating their 90th wedding anniversary. We know people got married young back then but a 90th wedding anniversary would have made each of the happy couple at least 106 years old. We’ll just leave the items as they ran. (We make enough mistakes today).

The reconstruction of the hockey rink at Beach 108th Street will begin in the fall, thanks to $600,000 secured by Councilman Eric Ulrich.

We’d all like to see a continuous boardwalk. Some are now suggesting that the boardwalk that is intact be left alone or sections only be replaced in the off-season, before the piping plovers nest in April. With planning, a continuous boardwalk,from Beach 108th to Beach 9th could be in place by 2015. And then from Beach 126th to Beach 9th the following season. Makes sense. Parks, what do you say?

Keep in mind, if you received FEMA money it’s a one-time get. You must purchase flood insurance if you want coverage from now on. Some people got FEMA after Hurricane Irene and were surprised to learn no funds were available after Sandy. On Monday the US Senate is once again supposed to vote yes or no on delaying a lot of flood insurance hikes.

From time to time, The Wave hears from students from other states asking for help on school projects. Kate from Cascade Christian Schools sent this: I have chosen New York for my state. If any of your readers or staff would help me out by sending pictures, postcards, a used license plate, facts, product,etc. from your state, it would be greatly appreciated. Send to “Kate” c/o Cascade Christian Schools, 601 Ninth Ave. SE, Puyallup, WA 98372

From Parks on parking: “The Parks Department made a large investment in topsoil, grass seed, ornamental plants and decorative fencing to restore the center medians along Shore Front Parkway following Sandy. Vehicles are not authorized to park on this stretch of parkland as they damage the lawns. We respectfully request that you do not park on the medians during this and any future snow events.”

It was called a “day on” not “a day off” by members of a panel at a National Day of Service program honoring Martin Luther King Jr. this past Monday. Congressman Gregory Meeks, State Senator James Sanders, City Councilman Donovan Richards and other civic and religious leaders addressed apacked room about income inequality and other challenging issues facing poor and struggling middle-class communities. The Reverend Darren Ferguson and the Mount Carmel Baptist Church on Beach 71st street hosted the event.

Governor Cuomo didn’t please a lot of conservative Republicans when he said: “Who are they? Are they these extreme conservatives who are right-to-life, proassault weapon, anti-gay? Is that who they are? Because if that’s who they are and they’re the extreme conservatives, they have no place in the state of New York, because that’s not who New Yorkers are.” One response came from John Concannon, former candidate for City Council: “No elected official should ever demonize a law abiding group of individuals whether or not he/she agrees with them. Queens County has hundreds of different cultures living harmoniously together each and every day....why would a Governor degrade himself by singling out one group which happens to have a different political view than his?”

Three signs always catch our attention. The Marina Coming Soon sign on Beach Channel Drive and Beach 80th Street; the Straight Talk newspaper sign on the second floor of a building on Rockaway Beach Boulevard and the Judgment Day is Coming May 21, 2011 sign on a building on Beach 101st Street. We’re pretty certain Straight Talk won’t be coming back. Judgment Day is coming, we just don’t have an update. As for the marina? It still might happen. (We just hope it’s before Judgment Day).

For several days traffic was backed up from the Gil Hodges Bridge all the way to the Belt Parkway some mornings, because of construction. A 3 minute drive sometimes took 30 minutes or more. Blame it on National Grid. They closed all lanes a few times, ignoring a DOT permit which mandated keeping two lanes open. They were caught and have now promised to abide by the permit. The area of work, being done near the Belt Parkway, was supposed to be finished by Thursday

Got a strong back and good heart? The Sanitation Department is always on the lookout for help with snow removal. Individuals interested in registering can do so at their local district DSNY garage between 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The rate of pay begins at $12 per hour, and increases to $18 after the first 40 hours. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and be eligible to work in the United States. The local garage is at 51-10 Almeda Avenue.